Not all those who wander are lost.

Tag Archives: Sweet Revolutions

The lads had already set up the fortunetelling tent and card stand, and of course my vardo, before I arrived. I’ve been travelling, you see, which is a large part of what I do… well, that and wooing women, of course. We are all of us bound by our stories, and in many ways, although I am a bit of a legend, I am the same as the next guy.

You may think me arrogant. Feel free. Over the past years, and for centuries before that, I have whistled and sung, taken care of the lads and the family, and so now, at least for a little while, I’m content to let them take care of the logistics. I’d lingered too long in a lush forest land with another in a string of beautiful mortal women. Sometimes I think I find them as irresistible as they find me. But when the message came through that we were setting up for the Farthindale Mabon festival, I felt called back onto the road. Our last kiss was something to remember.

The portal was what I’d expected.

The portal was what I’d expected: they never put these things in the middle of town. It was nice that there was a pub right nearby, though at first I questioned the lads’ decision to place the vardo right next door to it. When I saw the lay of the land, I realised they had chosen the only place that was suitable: outside Farthingdale, there’s nothing but forest and huts and some ruined castle about a quarter mile down a narrow track through thick forest.

I took a few minutes to inspect the premises.

I took a few minutes to inspect the premises. Good, good— the lads will have to put a rug in that tent, though: don’t want the town ladies to get their dresses all mucky while they’re talking with the fortuneteller or the Aged Sage (that would be me, in a turban).

The vardo was decently appointed.

The vardo was decently appointed: I like a spartan setup inside, just a bed and a couple of places to sit, perhaps a bookshelf, something to spend time with when I’m not working or supervising. This event goes on for a full fortnight, so it’ll be important to me to have some kind of refuge. Once again, I wished there were a place farther outside of town, but the proximity to the business could only be a good thing.

I might be too old for this shit. And I’m certainly not dressed for it.

I might be too old for this shit, and I’m certainly not dressed for it, I thought, as I surveyed my tiny kingdom. I’d been to Farthindale before, for this festival, but it’s been years. And sometimes the grind of it all gets to me. I felt my feet itching already. While this was certainly going to be a lucrative job for us, I fancy a trip to the mountains, perhaps, someplace wild and cold. When we pack up here, we’ll look for mountains.

Then, I realised I was being watched.

Then, I realised I was being watched. Or possibly that there was something for me to watch; these things are never clear to me, even after all these years. Across the green from me, at the sole table outside the pub, sat a woman cradling a mug of what smelled like very grotty coffee. Well. Of course I had to go over, introduce myself, that sort of thing. She wasn’t a looker, but she had the kind of hair that I wanted to put my fists into right away. Best save that for after the introductions, though.

I always keep my distance, at first, particularly with one who looks so wary.

I always keep my distance, at first, particularly with one who looks so wary. Or possibly weary. Or possibly both. Of course I introduced myself with a smile, though I didn’t do that thing I do. Time for that later, assuming things got off to a good start.

Her name, it seems, is Diane. Or Katrina. I was confused on that detail.

She looked tired, and cranky.

She looked tired, and cranky. She complained about the coffee. She had the jaded air of someone who’d seen a few tragedies. Still, she looked me over speculatively. She explained she was between jobs, looking for work. I countered that while we only hire family, there would be plenty of market stallholders looking for help in the days to come, and I knew there was an herbalist in town who was looking for pre-festival help, mixing poultices and such.

Her reply was that she didn’t know much about plants and she seemed far more interested in drinking than working, to be honest. I speculated (to myself, of course) that what she really wanted was some sort of position where she would have to do very little and could spend most of her time sleeping, fucking, and drinking. I say fucking only because she continued to appraise me. Her air was almost predatory, and I did wonder a bit what sorts of things she got up to when she was less sleepy.

It finally occurred to me (I am such a genius) to ask her what she did for a living.

It finally occurred to me (I am such a genius) to ask her what she did for a living.

“I’m a fairy godmother,” she replied.

Well, that was a first. A coffee-addicted, cranky, not-a-morning-person, fairy godmother.

She obliged me by showing off her wand a bit.

She obliged me by showing off her wand a bit. No pun intended, and if she’s got that kind of wand, we’ll have to renegotiate our budding relationship. It was impressive. She told me she could make it rain as well, and I asked her nicely not to.

I whipped the grey silk scarf out of my coat and twisted it into my fortuneteller’s turban. Women love a guy in a turban. “Why don’t we go and read your fortune?” I suggested. It wasn’t just an excuse to get her into the dark tent: I was actually curious.

She said sure, but advised me to skip the bit about the tall, dark stranger.

“Madam,” I said, “I am the tall, dark stranger.” I made her laugh.

Of course, I cannot reveal what took place at the fortunetelling table.

Of course, I cannot reveal what took place at the fortunetelling table; that would break client confidentiality. But we did speak of her future, hazy though it might be, and of her next fairy godmothering placement.

I asked her to meet me for a drink later, in the possibly misnamed “Fair Maid” pub.

Her reply was teasing. “If the drink is better than this so-called coffee,” she said, “Perhaps I might.”

I laughed, because from the smell of that coffee, it would be hard to find anything worse. I think she will meet me for a drink. Perhaps I’ll enjoy being so near the pub just outside of town. I think the pub just outside of town is where all the good stuff happens. More accurately, for the next fortnight it’ll be the pub where the Gypsy Davey makes all the good stuff happen.

A long time ago, I had another Second Life avatar. I mean, OK, I am not without alts now, but my primary avatar is Gwen Enchanted, and I am rarely on any of the others except for specific role-play reasons.

But once upon a time, back in 2007 or so, I had a Second Life Avatar who was called Avalon Blessed. Through Avalon, I discovered SL, but when I got tired of it, I forgot I had a premium account and changed banks, so Linden Lab deleted her and her sizeable inventory, and I was very sad when I came back to SL. So many of the creators I love most in Second Life I discovered through Avalon as well: Analog Dog Hair; The White Armory; Evie’s Closet; and of course, Wishbox.

“Wishbox?” I hear you saying. “Wow, I remember Wishbox. Wisp Jinn used to make the most beautiful, whimsical stuff, still super good today, but she hasn’t put anything out in ages. Wonder what happened to her?”

I discovered Wishbox, as Avalon, at a little mediaeval faire somewhere in SL, and I can’t tell you where it was, or when it was, and I am pretty sure the faire doesn’t exist any more. But it was something like the Faery Crossing, or maybe one of the Elven Foresty type places. And I am lucky, so lucky, to be acquainted with the magical Dyisi Oppewall, who knows and has introduced me to some amazing people.

Last night, she IMed me to say she was wearing a new Wishboxdress. I think my response was something lyrical and poetic like, “OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG!”

And then, magically, a few hours later, due to the crossing of Linden to mystical palm, I had my very own Realm.

So of course I wrote a story about it.

My mum is the meanest witch in the forest.

My mum is the meanest witch in the forest. But today, for the first time, possibly because she has a terrible headache, she’s sending me in to town all by myself, to buy herbs for her potions. I have a list, and her little purse jingling with copper. Mum is very serious about the way I dress: I’m only allowed to wear certain, light “virginal” colours, and my upper arms must be covered, “because men see your heart there.” I don’t know where she gets this stuff.

But today, I can be anyone I want to be.

But today, I can be anybody I want to be.

A few yards away from the door, I change the dress to lavender purple, just to see if she’s still watching me.

A few yards away from the door, I change the dress to lavender purple, just to see if she’s still watching me.

Nothing happens! She must have gone back to bed!

Nothing happens! She must have gone back to bed!

I change the dress to pink and look back, just to make sure. No face in the window.

I change the dress to pink and look back, just to make sure. No face in the window. I’m safe!

Suddenly I feel free! I grow bold, and I skip down the path she’s told me never to run on. And the dress becomes green.

Suddenly I feel free! I grow bold, and I skip down the path she’s told me never to run on. And the dress becomes green! Even the birds change colour. They are such nice birds!

But really, red is much more daring! She’d hate this, my mum would!

But really, red is much more daring! She’d hate this, my mum would!

I’m giddy with my small rebellion, and my hummingbirds feel it, too. I think they like being red.

I’m giddy with my small rebellion, and my hummingbirds feel it, too. I think they like being red!

Soon, I come to the castle ruin, the one I’m not allowed to go into. “Giles! Giles, I shall address my people from atop the turret!”

“Yes, yes, I mean it! Call them all! All the people must hear me!”

“Yes, yes, I mean it! Call them all! All the people must hear me!”

“People of Gwynlandia! Behold your Queen! From this day forward, all young ladies shall be able to dress however they like, no matter what their mothers say!”

“People of Gwynlandia! Behold your Queen! From this day forward, all young ladies shall be able to dress however they like, no matter what their mothers say!”

I know My Subjects were happy to hear this news. It makes me giggle. But now I shall have to hurry to get to the town before noon; mum will be cranky if I’m not back by teatime.

I know My Subjects were happy to hear the news. It makes me giggle. But now I shall have to hurry to get to the town before noon; mum will be cranky if I’m not back by teatime.

For the first time, I feel a little anxious about going to town alone. A nice red lipstick will make it all better. And of course a floral print on the dress, which mum would say makes me look like a little tart. And forget the sleeves—I’m done with sleeves!

For the first time, I feel a little anxious about going to town alone. A nice red lipstick will make it all better. And of course a floral print on the dress, which mum would say makes me look like a little tart. And forget the sleeves—I’m done with sleeves!

Despite the fact that mum would approve of this, I give the seedy pub on the edge of town a wide berth. But I have to stop to talk to the Harper Lady statue. She’s my favourite ever.

Despite the fact that mum would approve of this, I give the seedy pub on the edge of town a wide berth. But I have to stop to talk to the Harper Lady statue. She’s my favourite ever.

And now I’ve gone out the forest gate and reached the town gate. It’s not locked, and the guard gives me a little wink. I think that makes the dress flowers turn blue. I think that’s why they turn blue.

And now I’ve gone through the forest gate and reached the town gate. It’s not locked, and the guard gives me a little wink. I think that makes the dress flowers turn blue. I think that’s why they turn blue.

One day, I shall own a grand house in town, and I shall welcome visitors grandly, and I shall not mind what they are wearing, so long as they are happy wearing it!

One day, I shall own a grand house in town, and I shall welcome visitors grandly, and I shall not mind what they are wearing, so long as they are happy wearing it!

“Welcome, welcome all ye, to my grand home in town! All things inside are grand and beautiful! Come inside and see!”

“Welcome, welcome all ye, to my grand home in town! All things inside are grand and beautiful! Come inside and see!”

In the market, I try flirting with the baker’s boy, but it makes my whole dress turn red because I don’t know what to say. He smiles at me, though. Is it because of my bare arms?

In the market, I try flirting with the baker’s boy, but it makes my whole dress turn red, because I don’t know what to say. He smiles at me, though. Is it because of my bare arms?

Finally, I arrive at the herbalist’s door, and I have to change the dress to brown so she won’t tell my mum I’ve been a tart. And I know my day’s adventure is over, because now I have to get the herbs and hurry home and make mum some tea and listen to her tell me all the things I should not have done in town. I won’t tell her how many of them I did!

Finally, I arrive at the herbalist’s door, and have to change the dress to brown so she won’t tell my mum I’ve been a tart. And I know my day’s adventure is over, because now I have to get the herbs and hurry home and make mum some tea and listen to her tell me all the things I should not have done in town. I won’t tell her how many of them I did!

I cannot tell you how much I love this dress! It’s original mesh, fits beautifully to SL standard sizing, and the HUD to change all the colours works quickly and seamlessly. Wisp designed every bit of this herself, and she’s been working on this dress for a long time. Below, I’m going to give you some non-story bits and show you all the presets, plus the HUD for the dress. It’s amazing, well made, and very much worth the price, I promise. Yes, I paid for this dress. I would buy it again. I may buy it for friends, it’s so cool. If you are looking for something whimsical and wonderful, whether or not you remember Wishbox, I urge you to teleport to her store and take a look at this dress. There’s a demo you can try on, of course, and I hope she’ll soon have other things for you to discover.